With a pregnant mom's new parenting chapter upon her, she has to remain in the best of health. It can be the most uncomfortable during August.
An expectant mom wants to be as comfortable as possible so she can enjoy this season and cherish the memories of becoming a mother. However, some pregnant women can be so overly concerned about the heat that they refuse to leave the house. They fear heat exhaustion, fainting, a blood sugar spike, and all the other things she was warned about by well-meaning members of her circle. Even though there can be some limits placed on a pregnant woman by her doctor, here are some helpful ways for her to enjoy her summer.
1. Stay Refreshed: Carry a small spray bottle filled with water. Spray it on your face and neck to feel refreshed on a hot summer day. The water in the bottle can get to be room temperature really fast. Put some cold water in it and ice before you leave the house. When you are at home, put some towels in an ice bucket. Squeeze the water out and put the towels all over you. A lot of people don't like to sleep with the air conditioner on. They rather open the window and enjoy the natural night air. Take a cool bath before bed. You may not need the AC and you can sleep with the window open.
2. Stay Hydrated: Make sure you drink plenty of liquids. If you get bored with just plain water, infuse it for a different taste. You can infuse it with fresh lemon, orange, cucumber, watermelon, and mint. A veggie juice or a smoothie will also help expectant moms who have a queasy stomach throughout their pregnancy. Have foods that are cool like yogurt, gazpacho, and salad.
3. Stay Covered: Keep a summer hat in the car in case the day starts out overcast and then the sun shines. A broad brim straw hat and sunglasses will help keep you cool and shaded from the direct heat and sun. In the tropics, they make hats out of palm leaves. These ward off the heat very well.
4. Stay Comfy: Loose clothing will help let your skin breathe as opposed to nylon that will stick to your body. Light clothing will help keep you cool. Also, avoid wearing dark-colored clothing during the day because it retains the heat. Since feet can swell during pregnancy as a mom retains fluid, be sure to wear comfy shoes and sandals. It's such a good treat to wear sandals in the summertime when you're pregnant. Your feet will have more flexibility and you don't have to worry about the pains of swelling.
5. Stay Breezy: Carry a small battery-operated handheld fan in your bag. When you are in a place where there are a lot of people or the air conditioner is not working well, you can turn on your little fan and be cool. Always carry an extra set of batteries for it.
6. Stay Shaded: Try to run your errands in the morning hours. When you park your car, look for a shady spot. If you are in the park with your family, find a shady area where you are getting a breeze. It will help you to be less sweaty and antsy. They say some of the best exercise for a pregnant woman (who is not having a high-risk pregnancy) is walking. It's best to walk in the evening when the sun is going down.
7. Stay Calm: Pregnant women are not good with sensory overload. Stay away from noisy places. Pick a quiet café as opposed to a huge restaurant that has outdoor eating. A lot of people and noise can be nauseating to a pregnant mom. Baby stores are great places to visit so you are not just home ordering online. A meditation class is really good during pregnancy. It keeps you grounded and helps you get ready for your delivery date.